In late Spring, Natural England published a review of carbon storage by habitat. It makes a series of general recommendations that can be widely applied and could increase carbon stocks, including:
- reducing disturbance and erosion of terrestrial soils and coastal and marine substrates and sediments;
- maintaining and restoring biodiverse native habitats is preferable to (re)creating them;
- even in intensively managed agricultural land, there should be scope for introducing native habitats and species that contribute to carbon sequestration in the most marginal areas;
- reducing the waste from both, the agricultural and forestry production cycles, and from restoration activities by finding alternative use for biomass which is currently burnt or disposed of in landfill;
- selecting appropriate species, such as perennial and deep rooted crops, or legumes can contribute to carbon sequestration in some circumstances;
- using light to moderate grazing levels, both in semi-natural habitats and in intensive holdings; and
- blocking drains and restoring water tables in peatlands.
No doubt many colleagues are aware of the report, but for those working in this area it all adds to the weight of evidence around the importance of our natural habitats in the on-going battle with climate change.
To see the report go to: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/1412347